Grandma's cancer battle an Instagram inspiration

The West Australian News

She's 80-years-old and in the fight of her life - but this grandma has inspired thousands with her photos on social networking site Instagram.

Betty Simpson was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, and has now become an internet sensation after her quirky and fun pictures for her family went viral, the New York Daily News reported.

Her great-grandson Zach Belden set up the account for her so she could keep in touch with family and friends.

“He loves me so much, that’s why he did it. He doesn’t want to lose me and he’s just good to me,” Simpson told ABC News. “I didn’t even know he was doing this.”

Betty Simpson with her great-grandson Zach Belden. Photo: Instagram

The Jeffersonville local said she now felt like a celebrity, and even had a famous follower of her own in Pharrell Williams.

The music superstar gave her a shoutout from his account after she posted a video of her dancing to his song Happy.

Let's help @grandmabetty33 get to 100k followers!" Williams' post read. "All the love and support on her Instagram account brings a smile to her face as she fights cancer. Happiness is a human right. Let's keep @grandmabetty33 smiling."

Simpson hopes something good comes out of her cancer fight, and that she can pass on some of her insight to the next generation.

Betty's quirky pictures have become an internet sensation. Photo: Instagram

“Maybe they’ll learn something,” she said of her followers. “I’ve been here 80 years, maybe they’ll learn something good from me.”